OTHER SERVICES & PROCEDURES

Dental Services in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, & Hampton, VA

Invisalign

Invisalign invisibly straightens your teeth with a series of custom-molded aligners.

Forget everything you’ve heard about teeth straightening. Because now there’s breakthrough technology that lets you get the smile you always wanted without bands, brackets, or wires.

A clear alternative.

By using a series of clear removable aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth right before your eyes. Change them about every 2 weeks, your teeth will move—little by little, week by week—until they have moved to the final position your orthodontist or dentist has prescribed. Comfortable to wear, our aligners are also removable so you can eat, drink, brush, and floss as usual.

Less treatment time.

A typical Invisalign case takes about a year from start to finish. You’ll see your doctor every month or two to see how you’re progressing. Every few visits you’ll be given additional aligners to continue your treatment. Commonly, the number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but treatment time and number of aligners will vary from case to case.

Invisible. And comfortable.

Invisalign is an invisible solution. So you won’t draw undue attention to your mouth while in treatment. In fact, virtually no one will know you’re wearing them unless you tell. Comfortable to wear, our aligners are also removable so you can eat, drink, brush, and floss as usual.

Invisalign can be used to treat the vast majority of common problems for adults and teens.

Whether your smile needs minor improvements or more extensive adjustments, Invisalign can certainly help. It’s successful in treating overly crowded or widely spaced teeth. It can also relieve more complex issues, including overbites, underbites, and even crossbites. In fact, an Invisalign certified orthodontist or dentist can use Invisalign clear aligners in all or part of just about any treatment plan.

Look your best during treatment.

Invisalign is clear and practically invisible, so nothing gets in the way of your new smile. No wonder Invisalign is the choice of over half a million people.

Unobtrusive in business meetings or social gatherings

No metal wires or bands to irritate your mouth

Most people won’t notice you’re wearing aligners

Laser Dentistry

In recent years, laser dentistry has superseded many traditional dentistry practices, making treatments more precise and less painful. This newer style of dentistry utilizes intense beams of light projected by a dental laser. Dental lasers can be used to perform a wide variety of treatments, including soft tissue shaping and removal.

The FDA deemed laser dentistry to be safe for public usage in 1990. Since then, many dentists have incorporated dental lasers into everyday procedures—reducing bleeding, anxiety, and post-treatment recovery times. The beauty of dental lasers is that they damage far less of the surrounding tissue than traditional techniques—which means less discomfort and pain.

Laser dentistry is incredibly versatile and plays an important role in a growing number of common dental procedures. Though laser dentistry is most notably associated with cosmetic treatments, it is equally effective for preventative purposes.

Here are some of the ways that dental lasers can be used:

Tooth preparation – Prior to laser dentistry, a drill would be required to prepare the tooth for a filling. Lasers can now completely eliminate the need for drilling and anesthesia. Lasers also successfully kill oral bacteria around the surgical site.

Different types of dental laser have been created to treat different conditions. Each laser uses a different wavelength of light, which predicates its best use. The most common types of dental laser are carbon dioxide lasers and diode lasers, which are usually employed to treat soft tissue problems. The dentist will decide which type of laser is best to use after conducting X-rays and a thorough examination.

The laser beam is extremely bright, and special glasses will be provided to protect the eyes. The dentist will then direct the beam at the affected area and carefully dissolve the soft tissue, harden the filling, or whiten the teeth.

The procedure will take far less time than conventional methods and cause far less anxiety and discomfort. The only real disadvantage of laser dentistry is that it can prove to be more expensive.

If you have questions or concerns about laser dentistry, please ask your dentist.

BIOLASE® Waterlase®

BIOLASE® Technology designs innovative dental lasers to reduce the complexity and trauma associated with many common dental procedures. The drill (aka the ‘handpiece’) strikes fear into the hearts of many with its noise, vibration, and heat.

The Waterlase® device utilizes hydrokinetic technology to remove hard and soft tissue with laser-powered water droplets. There is no heat, no vibrations, and no noise associated with the Waterlase laser, and it is completely safe. The FDA deemed the hydrokinetic laser safe for use on both adults and children in 1998.

The BIOLASE® Waterlase® is an extremely versatile piece of dental equipment. It can be used to either perform or expedite many procedures including:

Waterlase® works by precisely combining atomized water and laser energy to gently remove hard and soft tissue. This precision laser means that, in most cases, there is no need for anesthesia. Additionally, the laser actually sterilizes the surgical area, meaning that there is less risk of bacterial invasions or infections. For children and fearful patients, the Waterlase® offers a needleless, painless way to achieve the perfect smile.

Here are some reasons why using Waterlase® is preferable to the traditional dental drill:

Though each Waterlase® procedure differs in detail, some elements remain constant. First, protective eyewear will be provided to protect the eyes. Second, a small Waterlase® laser will project streams of atomized water to cut into the hard or soft tissue. The laser sterilizes as it moves, which means that, in the case of soft tissue augmentation, the whole procedure can be completed in a single visit.

The Waterlase® laser increases comfort levels, reduces anxiety, and reduces cost. In addition, it is one of the least invasive, most effective tools that dentists have at their fingertips. Waterlase® can significantly improve the health of the teeth and restore the beauty of the smile.

If you have questions about BIOLASE® Waterlase®, please ask your dentist.

TMJ (Tempro-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction)

Tempro-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome (TMJ) is a common condition affecting a wide variety of people. TMJ is characterized by severe headaches, jaw pain of varying degrees, grinding teeth, and an intermittent ringing in the ears. The vast majority of TMJ sufferers are unaware that the root cause of these problems is something that a dentist can effectively treat.

The symptoms of TMJ are debilitating and can greatly interfere with everyday life. The comfort and general well-being of the patient is at the heart of the dental practice, so pain relief is the first consideration of the dentist. The dentist is able to test, diagnose, and devise an immediate plan to treat the underlying causes of the TMJ disorder.

Dr. Adam S. Foleck, DMD and his associates pride themselves in providing patients with the utmost services in dental care in the Hampton Roads region. Dr. Foleck’s leading practice in cosmetic, implant, and general dentistry specializes in dental transformations by using the latest advances in science and technology. Using the latest advances in technology allows patients to have more comfortable and less visits. Call one of our three convenient locations to schedule your free consultation today!